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Punzel Handcuffs Indians As Cubs Post 4-0 Victory
 ESCANABA---Brandon Punzel tossed a complete-game three-hitter to lead the Escanaba Cubs to a 4-0 win over the Gladstone Indians in American Legion Baseball Friday night at Al Ness Field. Hunter Garling allowed two earned runs on five hits in a losing effort.  In the third inning, Tyler Hardwick walked and Parker LaMarch was hit by a pitch while trying to bunt. Sean Bissell singled to load the bases. Punzel's grounder to a drawn-in infield recorded the first out, but Tyler Skufca managed a fly ball for a sacrifice fly RBI. In the fifth inning, Garling walked Punzel and Skufca. He appeared to get out of the jam when Valentine bounced one to second base. But Gladstone's Braeden Lamberg booted the ball for the Indians' only error, and it cost two runs, putting the Cubs ahead, 4-0. That was all Punzel needed on the mound, as he threw all seven innings, allowing only three hits, striking out nine, and walking just two batters. But there were two execllent defensive plays for the Cubs, and Gladstone's Justin Jurek was the victim of both plays.  With two on, Jurek scorched one up the middle, but Punzel was able to catch it on the hill, and then threw to Skufca, who scrambled to cover second base, for a 1-6 double play. In the sixth inning, Jurek hit one up the middle that Cubs second baseman Parker LaMarch lunged for. He got the ball, and made the out at first for a spectacular play. Gladstone had two men on base in the top of the seventh inning as Ben Schwalbach was safe on an error and Christian Tackman got a one-out single. But Punzel was able to strike out Lamberg and Hunter Botruff to end the game. Punzel ended up with nine strikeouts and just two walks in seven innings of work. Garling threw five innings for Gladstone, with Lamberg throwing a scoreless sixth inning.  Escanaba is off until July 12th, when the Cubs host Niagara in a doubleheader at Al Ness Field. The Cubs will play the Escanaba Polecats in an exhibition on Wednesday. Gladstone will face Channing in the first round of the Mid Pen League playoffs Monday night in Channing. That tournament wraps up Wednesday night. Click the thumbnails in the ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS box to see photos taken by Sheila Olsen.  |
